ORATA, Anthony R.

AHISTOR3
ARC227

MY FAVORITE ASIAN COUNTRY

If I were to ask, “What would be your favorite Asian country aside from the
Philippines?” I would undoubtedly choose Indonesia. Aside from the

similarities in culture and tradition that

the Philippines and Indonesia have in
between, I was overwhelmed by how rich and
diverse their culture is. Indonesian archipelago

For everyone’s information, Indonesian culture has deep roots dating back to the
thalassocracy kingdoms of Sri Vijaya and Majapahit
empires, and foreign ancestors, including Chinese,
Malay, Arabic, Indian, Austronesian, and even
from the Portuguese and Dutch colonies that invaded
their land. Among all of the foreign cultures
mentioned above, Indian roots have greatly shaped the
heritage that Indonesia has built over history. I was
captivated by their culture with Indian roots, such as
the Javanese (Java Region) and Balinese (Bali,

Map of Sriviajaya (top) and Majapahit (bottom) empires

Indonesia) cultures.

These include The

the Gamelan Ensemble
following: (left) and
satisfying the Angklung
sounds of theirInstrument
Gamelan ensemble - an
Indonesian percussion orchestra (particularly in Bali Province) composed of gongs and other
metal-keyed instruments; the famous Angklung instruments of the Sunda Region (which is
surprisingly used also in some countries of Southeast Asia, such as in the Philippines, Malaysia,
Singapore, and Thailand); the intricate patterns and
techniques of making the Batik fabric - one of the most
important representations of the Indonesian symbol; and
the elegance of the classical Balinese dance and theatre,
which is significantly dynamic and splendid, as it is not just a
drama play, but it also combined with intricate dancing
and movements of the hands accompanied by the
An example of Batik fabric pattern
clamping sounds of the Balinese Orchestra.

What I found particularly interesting about Indonesia was how diverse its culture is
across different islands and regions.
Although each Indonesian province may
have similarities with others, each one also
has a distinctive element of culture and
tradition that sets it apart. For example,
in terms of clothing, every province has its
version of Batik fabric and forms of
Kebaya garment. This diversity is
manifested also in terms of the dances and
oral tradition. Javanese Kebaya (left); Balinese Kebaya (right)

Apart from the Indonesian Arts and

Music, their vernacular architecture is
also something remarkable. My favorites
about Indonesian architecture are the
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and a Dayak Longhouse Longhouses of the Dayak Tribe in
Kalimantan region which are massive, and the intricate traditional houses and Hindu temples
in Bali province, particularly Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, which is one of the must-visit
temples.
The pride and recognition of their culture among the natives make Indonesia unique. The
country's culture and traditions are enriched by the way they treat and embrace them. It's truly
remarkable how Indonesians are unified despite their differences, and their love for their culture
is a testament to that.